AB de Villiers says his side lost their competitive streak in crushing loss to India
De Villiers reflects on 'almost embarrassing' loss
The defeat dented South Africa's confidence at the World Cup, but the margin was almost embarrassing.
AB de Villiers admitted as much after his side, expected to top Pool B and trouble Australia in the knock-out stage of the tournament, crumbled to a 130-run loss against India at the MCG on Sunday.
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It was the biggest loss suffered by a South African side batting second in any World Cup match.
"You always want to be a competitive team," de Villiers said.
"We pride ourselves on that, and it didn't happen today.
"It's almost embarrassing.
"We'll be through to the quarter-finals. It's not about that.
"Your confidence takes a bit of a knock with performances like that.
"It's up to the senior group of players to make sure that confidence is still there come Friday against the West Indies."
The Proteas skipper noted his team had been "outplayed" in every facet of the game, with India's total of 7-307 being a result of some "pretty average" bowling.
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Miller caught short // Getty Images
But the gun batsman, who scored 30 and engineered two fantastic run-outs, reserved particular condemnation for himself and David Miller.
"Absolutely unacceptable ... you just can't afford to have two run-outs in the top six," de Villiers said.
"We both sat on the side of the field not even being dismissed by a bowler, which is very disappointing."
De Villiers suggested it was a mix of good bowling and bad batting that led to South Africa being rolled for 177.
"I just want to sort of go feel sad in my room for a while ... I almost don't want to think about it," he said.
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Over 86,000 fans packed the MCG // Getty Images
Despite being so upset at the upset, de Villiers was confident he and the squad's brains trust would find a way to quickly turn things around.
"We'll regroup ... we'll have a mature and honest chat about it and then hopefully play some good cricket on Friday," he said.
The most pressing concern is Vernon Philander's hamstring injury, with the right-armer unable to bowl on Sunday after his opening spell.
"He'll go for scans," de Villiers said.
"I have no idea what his condition is like and whether he will be ready for the next game."
South Africa became the first team to be fined for slow over-rates during the event.